Sophomore Emily Barnard recorded a natural hat trick Saturday to help the Shippensburg University field hockey team overcome an early deficit and defeat home-standing Seton Hill, 3-1, in a road Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) matchup in Greensburg.
 
Shippensburg (12-4, 6-3 PSAC) clinched a PSAC Tournament berth with the victory – marking SU's 15th consecutive year in the conference tournament and its 16th trip to the postseason in 17 years under National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Hall of Fame Head Coach Bertie Landes.
 
Seton Hill (1-14, 1-8) opened the scoring 13 minutes in and led for the majority of the first half. The Griffins, however, only mustered one other shot in the remainder of the match. SU out-shot Seton Hill, 34-2, and recorded a monumental 31 penalty corners in the contest.
 
Barnard's first tally came with six minutes to play in the first half; she grabbed the rebound of her initial shot and scored. Almost 15 minutes into the second half, Barnard gave SU the lead as she scored off an assist from junior Katelyn Grazan.
 
With just 1:50 remaining, Barnard put the victory on ice by rampaging through the defense for her ninth goal of the year.
 
In two games against Seton Hill this year, Barnard has six goals and an assist. Both of Barnard's hat tricks are the only two achieved by the Raiders this season.
 
Senior Taylor Webster made one save in goal to record the victory.
 
SU is currently in fifth place in the PSAC standings with just one league match still to play. Depending upon the results during the final week, the Raiders could be anywhere from the No. 3 seed to the No. 6 seed in the conference tournament.
 
Shippensburg hosts Bloomsburg, who also clinched a PSAC Tournament berth on Saturday, at noon Saturday in the regular-season finale at Robb Sports Complex. SU will recognize seniors Webster, Ari Saytar and Molly Stuart in a pre-game ceremony.